The coach with most experience converting NRL stars into gun rugby union players doubts Israel Folau has enough time to make the Wallabies team for next year’s British and Irish Lions series.
Ewen McKenzie oversaw the transition of Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers and Mark Gasnier to the 15-man code, and also coached Wendell Sailor in his final two seasons in rugby at the NSW Waratahs.
McKenzie expects Folau to make an impact in rugby but believes the time it takes to adapt will put him behind the eight-ball for an instant Wallabies’ call-up.
“The aptitude for picking the game up is the biggest test and it’s not always easy from my experience,” the Queensland Reds’ director of coaching told AAP.
The Waratahs will play 15 matches before the Super Rugby season breaks for the eagerly-awaited three-Test Lions series in June.
But Folau, an international three-quarter in rugby league before his two-year AFL stint with Greater Western Sydney, faces stiff opposition to gain a starting berth, especially for their season-opener against the Reds on February 23.
Standing in his way are Wallabies outside backs Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Lachie Turner, Rob Horne and fullback-flyhalf Berrick Barnes.
Added to that, Reds’ flyer Digby Ioane and Rebels’ duo Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor are automatic backline selections for Australia.
“Anything is possible, (Folau) is a good footballer, but you have to work out the position and the positional detail – that will be the challenge,” McKenzie said.
“Plus they’ve got some pretty good incumbents there, they’ve got Test players in those positions and I don’t know who will be putting their hand up to sit on the bench and not be involved so we’ll see how they handle all that.
“The good news for us is we’ve got them in his first game. We’re looking forward to welcoming him at Suncorp Stadium and that should get a few more bums on seats and we’ll know how good he is in the transition.”
Turner welcomed Folau’s signing and denied the NSW backs were scared by the former Kangaroo winger’s arrival.
“We’ve got to make sure that we put ourselves in the best position to win that spot.”
Malo
Guest
I concur most league players fail cause they dont have the range of skills that Folau has. Sailor and Tahu were jokes who got a run because the ARU paid so much for them so they had to get a run. If you watched Folaus league games you don't have to be Einstein to see he is Australias best hope of turning things around in the backs. That and a couple of props and we will be sorted.
Malo
Guest
You obviously did not see a Tahs game last year. The backs were pretty bad.
Malo
Guest
I would forget about his AFL, but yeah it is not like you need all the skills to cement a position. Kurtley cant tackle , kick or pass but is an automatic selection. Folau is fast strong , breaks the line can catch and pass and is not bad in the air. What more do you want he will pick it up with full time training.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Similar to Tahu who was constantly benched at the Tahs. Deans gifted a Wallabies jumper which he did not deserve to try and keep him interested, and that's is how we got the South Africa thrashing.
Rob9
Roar Guru
I just hope the powers that be don’t hand over a Wallaby cap to him because of the name that he comes with. Going off recent history, that will probably happen though. There will be even more pressure to select him seeing as he’s only signed for a year and the ARU will more than likely be doing what they can to ensure he stays in rugby beyond 2014. As the author points out, we’re not exactly lacking in the outside back reserves. Considering his game and current circumstances, I don’t believe he’ll play anywhere other than the wing in 2013. I could be wrong but I don’t believe he could do enough to reasonably justify an international cap after 15 games of rugby also. If he did decide to stick with rugby then he could very well occupy a ‘non-Digby’ wing in the Wallabies. Looking further ahead, when he’s learnt how to read the game and it’s become second nature, he could end up at 13. I know he has a mighty leap and apparently he’s learnt to kick after 2 years in AFL, but I don’t think he’ll make a fullback. You need an organic rugby brain and an extensive knowledge of how to read the game to make it back there. But if the ARU decided to throw a big money top up contract at him following his first season in order to keep him in the game I think it’d be a mistake. As a rugby fan I loathe money being wasted on league talent (or any talent) when it isn’t justified- as was the case with Del and Lote. And as a league fan, I think Izzy’s game will always be suited towards the 13-man code. I’ll happily take him at the sharks in 2014 where he can find a place in a team that is actually lacking in backs!!
soapit`
Guest
australia hasnt spent anything yet as far as i know, its only a waratahs contract.
JTV
Guest
+ 1
Jorceylin
Guest
Cool stuff. You might as well list off a player's stats in 7s rugby.. actually that would probably mean more. Notice outside of Australia.. and maybe a little bit of NZ... no one is talking about this, because A. No one knows who he is let alone what league is, and B. No one cares, until he actually does something of value (which he most likely won't, because the majority of League players fail miserably.)
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Off course he will make the Wallabies team. Australia spent a lot of money to get him into union. I remember the Welsh doing this one year and the bloke who cost them a million pounds gave us two tries and it looked like money down the drain.
soapit`
Guest
theres no way he'll play against the lions. that series is what deans will use to determine his legacy and he wont risk taking a punt on someone new to the code.
formeropenside
Guest
and certainly not at 12
Jack Brumby
Guest
Folau's Leage record. Age 23: First season 23 triies - a new record. Youngest ever player to represent Australia. Dally M Centre of the year. 70 tries in 4 seasons. 8 tests, 8 State of Origins. (1 MOTM). This is league remmber- where there is depth and players are picked on form. In State of Origin there is no tlerance for "we're on track, we had a off game, we need to focus a bit more" and all the rest of the spin.
Jorceylin
Guest
He'll make the team on apparent name value alone even if he is a total failure (despite no one outside of NZ and Aus knowing him at all)... hopefully this comes back to cost the Wallabies yet another Lions series... ala campo...lol.
Jack Brumby
Guest
On form Beale, Barnes, Mitchell, and AAC wouldn't get a game for the Brumbies and wouldn’t be starters for the Wallabies except for injuries. I much prefer Lealiifano, McCabe, Speight, Smith, Tomane; faster, more creative, more power. OK maybe Barnes. Mitchell was a very good player but has lots work to do and needs some luck overcome injuries and get his pace back. It was sad to see him unable to scoot around a prop during the Wales game. I hope he makes it back.
jameswm
Guest
I would have thought he's faster than SBW.
atlas
Guest
really? Sonny Bill Williams listed at 194cm and 108kg. I imagine with his boxing he is weighed fairly often, and height won't change much . . . On that basis . . . bigger and faster?
atlas
Guest
One week earlier. Will those seven days really make a difference?
Markus
Guest
He never used to be in his early days, but I guess multiple recurring injuries got the best of him. He also developed this uncanny ability in later years to get every single team and staff member at his club offside with him.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tahu is soft mentally, no grit or toughness.
ben
Guest
Folau will be a SENSATION......he is bigger and faster than SBW and has better hands. SBW took a while to adapt becasue he was too small to be a forward and initally too slow to be a back. FOLAU is an outside back. He is 1.95M and plays at 105kg...WOW. With that leap he will be undefendable........with Quades kicking to the corners will be amazing to watch. If he lights it up in the early rounds then get him ready for the Lions....they will have none who can counter that.